What are the basic steps for “forcing bulbs” ?
It is possible for flowers such as daffodils or tulips to bloom indoors during the winter months. Spring bulbs need to be chilled before they can bloom indoors, so plan ahead. Forcing bulbs means that you will start process to induce flowering of a plant in different time than normal. The process is simple and includes few basic steps.
- Start with healthy bulbs, a well-drained soilless substrate (coarse sand for example) and a few pots.
- Use azalea pots or pots that are four to eight inches in diameter. Put a few bulbs of the same variety in a pot and then cover them with a soilless substrate. Bulbs of different varieties have different depth requirements.
- Pack the pot loosely, water the bulbs. Find a way to expose them to low temperatures (35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit – 1 to 5 Celsius) for about 13 weeks.
These temperatures can be achieved in an unheated room (non-sunny room, patio, shed, basement). If you use the refrigerator, make sure that there are no food products in it. - The purpose of cooling is to allow the bulbs to develop a healthy root system and elongate the flower bud before being forced to bloom.
- The pots can be moved to their final destination, such as a living room, when the flowers are almost fully developed.
